Detecting structural integrity of a structural component

ABSTRACT

A device includes at least one antenna, a power supply that generates a voltage using electrical energy contained in a first radio frequency (RF) signal generated by an RF scanner, at least two ports to which respective ends of at least one electrical conductor are attached, an impedance meter to which the at least two ports are conductively linked and a transmission controller configured to communicate to the RF scanner, via the antenna, a second RF signal containing data indicating the measured electrical impedance. The impedance meter and the transmission controller are powered by the voltage generated by the power supply using the electrical energy contained in the first RF signal generated by the RF scanner. The device can be configured to be embedded into at least one structural material of a physical structure, or embedded into a structural wrap configured to be attached to the physical structure.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to detecting integrity of structural materials.

Structures typically are designed to function for a desired service life. Sometimes, though, structural integrity is prematurely compromised. Structural integrity may be compromised due to external causes, such as earthquakes, fire, overload, impact, chemical exposure, etc. Structural integrity also may be compromised due to improper design, manufacturing defects, fatigue, corrosion, and so on.

Throughout history there have been many structural failures that have taken their toll on human life. One fairly recent example is the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge (Bridge 9340). The bridge catastrophically failed during the evening rush hour on Aug. 1, 2007, collapsing to the river and riverbanks beneath. Thirteen people were killed and 145 were injured. Another example is the collapse of two suspended walkways through the lobby of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Kansas City, Mo. on Jul. 17, 1981. That collapse took the lives of 114 people, and more than 200 people were injured.

SUMMARY

A device includes at least one antenna, a power supply that generates a voltage using electrical energy contained in a first radio frequency (RF) signal generated by an RF scanner, at least two ports to which respective ends of an electrical conductor are attached, an impedance meter to which the at least two ports are conductively linked, the impedance meter configured to measure an electrical impedance of the electrical conductor, and a transmission controller configured to communicate to the RF scanner, via the antenna, a second RF signal containing data indicating the measured electrical impedance. The impedance meter and the transmission controller are powered by the voltage generated by the power supply using the electrical energy contained in the first RF signal generated by the RF scanner. The device can be configured to be embedded, with the electrical conductor, into at least one structural material from which at least one structural component of a physical structure is made, or embedded into a structural wrap configured to be attached to the physical structure.

An apparatus comprises a structural wrap comprising at least one structural material configured to be attached to a physical structure and at least one device embedded in the structural material. The device includes at least one antenna, a power supply that generates a voltage using electrical energy contained in a first radio frequency (RF) signal generated by an RF scanner, at least two ports to which respective ends of an electrical conductor are attached, an impedance meter to which the at least two ports are conductively linked, the impedance meter configured to measure an electrical impedance of the electrical conductor, and a transmission controller configured to communicate to the RF scanner, via the antenna, a second RF signal containing data indicating the measured electrical impedance. The impedance meter and the transmission controller are powered by the voltage generated by the power supply using the electrical energy contained in the first RF signal generated by the RF scanner.

An apparatus comprises a structural component for a physical structure and at least one device embedded in the structural component. The device includes at least one antenna, a power supply that generates a voltage using electrical energy contained in a first radio frequency (RF) signal generated by an RF scanner, at least two ports to which respective ends of an electrical conductor are attached, an impedance meter to which the at least two ports are conductively linked, the impedance meter configured to measure an electrical impedance of the electrical conductor, and a transmission controller configured to communicate to the RF scanner, via the antenna, a second RF signal containing data indicating the measured electrical impedance. The impedance meter and the transmission controller are powered by the voltage generated by the power supply using the electrical energy contained in the first RF signal generated by the RF scanner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture of an electronic circuit device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example architecture of a radio frequency (RF) scanner.

FIG. 3 is an example of a structural wrap including a plurality of electronic circuit devices configured to be scanned by an RF scanner.

FIG. 4 is an example of a structural component of a physical structure, the structural component including a plurality of electronic circuit devices configured to be scanned by an RF scanner.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method of configuring an electronic circuit device.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method of detecting structural integrity of a physical structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to detecting structural integrity of structural components. In accordance with the arrangements described herein, each of a plurality of electronic circuit devices can be configured to be fixed to a structural component of physical structure. The electronic circuit devices also can be configured to, responsive to being scanned by a radio frequency (RF) scanner, use energy contained in an RF signal generated by the RF scanner to measure an electrical impedance of respective electrical conductors and communicate to the RF scanner data indicating the measured electrical impedances. Each of the electrical conductors can be configured to have an electrical impedance that changes in value responsive to the electrical conductor being deformed, and can be connected to a respective electronic circuit device.

A plurality of the electronic circuit devices, and the respective electrical conductors, can be fixed to a structural component of a physical structure. By way of example, the electronic circuit devices can be embedded into the structural component when the structural component is formed, or attached to the structural component. The electronic circuit devices can be attached to the structural component by embedding the electronic circuit devices in a structural wrap, and attaching the structural wrap to the structural component.

An RF scanner can perform an initial scan of the electronic circuit devices to receive data indicating the impedance of the respective electrical conductors. Such data can form a baseline measurement. Subsequent scans can be performed to gather additional impedance data, which can be compared to the baseline measurement to determine whether any of the electrical conductors have deformed or broken. Deformation or breaking of the electrical conductors can indicate that the structural integrity of the structural component has been compromised to some extent, for example due to displacement, cracks, compression, elongation, movement, or the like. Based on data generated by the comparison, the structural component that has been compromised can be identified, and further structural inspection of that structural component may be warranted.

Of course, the above process can be applied to a plurality of other structural components of the structure. Responsive to one or more structural components that have been compromised being identified, rather than performing a complete inspection of the structure, additional structural inspections can focus only on those structural components, and perhaps other structural components to which the structural component is attached. The ability provided by the present arrangements to indicate which structural components have been compromised, and focusing structural inspections to those areas, can save much time and money.

Several definitions that apply throughout this document now will be presented.

As defined herein, the term “electronic circuit device” means a device that includes at least one hardware circuit (e.g., an integrated circuit) and is configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal in which data is encoded to an RF scanner responsive to being scanned by the RF scanner.

As defined herein, the term “radio frequency scanner,” also referred to herein as “RF scanner,” means a system or device configured to detect a radio frequency signal generated by at least one electronic circuit device and identify information encoded in the radio frequency signal.

As defined herein, the term “fix” means to place or attach. A device is fixed to a structural component by embedding the device within the structural component or attaching the device to the structural component. By way of example, a device may be attached to a structural component by embedding the device in a material, such as a structural wrap, and attaching the material to the structural component.

As defined herein, the term “impedance” means the total opposition that an electrical conductor or device presents to a flow of electrical current when a voltage is applied to the electrical conductor or device. For example, an impedance can be determined by determining a ratio of a maximum voltage to a maximum alternating current or direct current. An impedance may be expressed in complex notation that includes a real value and an imaginary value indicating a relationship of a phase of an alternating voltage to a phase of an alternating current, for example due to a combination of resistance, capacitance, inductance, reluctance, etc., though this need not be the case. For instance, in one aspect, an impedance measured using direct voltage/current may be expressed as an electrical resistance (e.g., an impedance with zero phase angle).

As defined herein, the term “impedance meter” means a meter configured to measure an impedance of an electrical conductor or device. An “impedance meter” may express a measured impedance as a value indicating resistance or using complex notation (e.g., a real value indicating resistance and an imaginary value indicating phase).

As defined herein, the term “structural wrap” means a flexible material configured to be attached to a physical structure.

As defined here, the term “data indicating a measured electrical impedance” means a value of the measured electrical impedance, or a value of a ratio determined by comparing the value of the measured electrical impedance to a value of a reference electrical impedance measurement.

As defined herein, the term “memory element” means a physical memory structure that contains or stores data for use by or in connection with a system, apparatus, or device. As defined herein, a “memory element” is not a transitory, propagating signal per se.

As defined herein, the term “responsive to” means responding or reacting readily to an action or event. Thus, if a second action is performed “responsive to” a first action, there is a causal relationship between an occurrence of the first action and an occurrence of the second action, and the term “responsive to” indicates such causal relationship.

As defined herein, the term “processor” means at least one hardware circuit (e.g., an integrated circuit) configured to carry out instructions contained in program code. Examples of a processor include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an array processor, a vector processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic circuitry, and a controller.

As defined herein, the term “real time” means a level of processing responsiveness that a user or system senses as sufficiently immediate for a particular process or determination to be made, or that enables the processor to keep up with some external process.

As defined herein, the term “output” means storing in memory elements, writing to display or other peripheral output device, sending or transmitting to another system, exporting, or the like.

As defined herein, the term “user” means a person (i.e., a human being).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture of an electronic circuit device (hereinafter “device”) 100. The device 100 can be configured to, responsive to being scanned by a radio frequency (RF) scanner, measure an electrical impedance of an electrical conductor 140 and communicate to the RF scanner data at least indicating the measured electrical impedance of the electrical conductor and/or a ratio of the electrical impedance to an impedance of a reference electrical conductor. In one non-limiting example, the electronic circuit device 100 can be a passive radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag configured in accordance with the arrangements described herein.

The device 100 can include at least one antenna 110, at least one capacitor 112, a power supply 114, a decoder 116, an encoder 118, a transmission controller 120, memory elements 122 and an impedance meter 124. Optionally, in lieu of having the decoder 116 separate from the encoder 118, the device 100 can include an encoder/decoder. One or more of the components 110-122 of the device 100 can be embodied in an integrated circuit (IC), for example an IC chip. In one non-limiting arrangement, the device 100 can be encased in a protective material, for example a plastic casing.

The antenna 110 can be configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals generated by an RF scanner, as well as transmit RF signals to the RF scanner. The device 100 also can include a capacitor 112 which may store, at least temporarily, electrical energy contained in RF signals received from the RF scanner and provide the electrical energy to the power supply 114. The power supply 114 can use the electrical energy to generate a voltage, and regulate the voltage, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the power supply 114 can include a rectifier that rectifies the RF signal to generate a voltage (e.g., a DC voltage). Optionally, the power supply 114 also may include a power inverter that generates an AC voltage from the DC voltage. The power supply 114 also can include one or more voltage regulators that regulate the amplitude the AC voltage and/or DC voltage.

The power supply 114 can distribute the voltage(s) to various components of the device 100, including the decoder 116, encoder 118, transmission controller 120, memory elements 122 and impedance meter 124 to provide electricity for operation. For example, the power supply 114 can distribute DC voltage to the components 116-124. In one arrangement, the impedance meter 124 can use the DC voltage to measure the impedance of the electrical conductor 140. In another arrangement, the power supply 114 also can distribute AC voltage to the impedance meter 124, and the impedance meter 124 can use the AC voltage to measure the impedance of the electrical conductor 140.

The decoder 116 can decode data carried in an RF signal received from the RF scanner by the antenna 110 and communicate such data to the transmission controller 120. For example, the decoder 116 can demodulate the RF signal into a baseband signal and process the baseband signal to detect the data contained therein. Demodulation of the RF signal into the baseband signal may include first converting the RF signal to an intermediate frequency (IF), though the present arrangements are not limited in this regard.

The encoder 118 can encode data received from the transmission controller 120 into an RF signal, which can be transmitted to the RF scanner by the antenna 110. For example, the encoder 118 can generate a baseband signal that includes the data, and modulate the baseband signals into an RF signal, which also is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Modulation of the baseband signal into the RF signal may include first modulating the baseband signal to an intermediate frequency (IF), though the present arrangements are not limited in this regard. In one arrangement, the device 100 can include a switch 126 operable by the transmission controller 120 and/or the encoder 118 to close when the encoder 118 generates the outbound RF signal.

The transmission controller 120 can process the data received from the decoder 116 and, in response, initiate the device 100 to perform one or more processes, as will be described. The transmission controller 120 also can select data to communicate the encoder 118 for transmission to the RF scanner, as also will be described.

The memory elements 122 can include random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (Fe-RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) and/or the like. The memory elements 122 can store a unique identifier assigned to the device 100, for example a RFID. The memory elements 122 also can store executable program code configured to be executed by the transmission controller 120 and/or impedance meter 124 to perform various operations described herein. Further, the memory elements 122 can store, at least temporarily, impedance measurements and/or impedance ratios, which will be described.

The impedance meter 124 can be configured to measure the impedance of an electrical conductor 140. In illustration, the device 100 can include at least two ports 130, 132 to which respective ends 142, 144 of the electrical conductor 140 (e.g., a wire) may be connected to form a conductive loop. In a simple example, the ports 130, 132 can be electrical connectors conductively linked to the impedance meter 124. In one arrangement, the electrical conductor 140 can be an insulated electrical conductor. In another arrangement, the electrical conductor 140 can be a non-insulated electrical conductor. Optionally, the device 100 can include additional ports (not shown) to which one or more additional electrical conductors (not shown) may be attached, and the impedance meter 124 also can measure the impedance of the additional electrical conductor(s).

The electrical conductor 140 can be any desired length. In this regard, the electrical conductor 140 depicted in FIG. 1 need not be to scale. Indeed, it is anticipated that in some arrangements the length of the electrical conductor may be significantly longer than any particular dimension of the device 100. In illustration, the device 100 can have a length and width in the range of 1 mm to 25 mm, and the electrical conductor 140 can have a length in the range of 5 mm to 100 m, depending on the application in which the device will be used.

The electrical conductor 140 can be made of a conductive material or a semi-conductive material. In one arrangement, the conductive material or semi-conductive material can be malleable and can have an electrical impedance that changes in response to the electrical conductor 140 being deformed. In another arrangement, the conductive material or semi-conductive material can be inflexible.

In one arrangement, the conductive material or a semi-conductive material can predominantly include one element. In another arrangement, the conductive material or a semi-conductive material can include two or more elements, for example an alloy or other type of material including two or more elements. Examples of elements that may form the electrical conductor 140 include, but are not limited to, copper, aluminum, silver, gold, tungsten, magnesium, nickel, carbon, tin, lead, platinum, titanium, silicon, germanium, etc.

If the electrical conductor 140 is broken, or stretched to the point of breaking, the electrical impedance of the electrical conductor 140 can be infinite, or at least very high since a material in which the conductor is embedded may provide some amount of conductivity. In an arrangement in which the electrical conductor 140 is at least partially malleable, if the electrical conductor 140 is stretched, its length will become longer and a diameter of at least a portion of the electrical conductor may become smaller, resulting in the electrical impedance of the electrical conductor 140 increasing in comparison to the impedance of electrical conductor 140 prior to being stretched. This can be understood by the following equation:

$R = \frac{\rho\; L}{A}$ where R is the resistance of the electrical conductor 140, ρ is resistivity of the electrical conductor 140, L is the length of the electrical conductor 140 and A is the cross sectional area of the electrical conductor 140.

As will be described, the impedance meter 124 can measure the impedance of the electrical conductor 140 at various times, and the respective measurements can be compared to determine whether the electrical conductor has deformed. Assuming the electrical conductor 140 has not been broken, when the electrical conductor deforms, the change in impedance may be quite small, but still be detectable by the impedance meter 124. To ensure accuracy of the impedance measurements made by the impedance meter 124, the power supply 114 can be configured to, when supplying voltage to the impedance meter 124, maintain that voltage very precisely, for example within 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1.0%, etc. of a desired voltage value. In another arrangement, the impedance meter 124 can include circuitry to enable the impedance meter 124 to make very precise impedance measurements, even if the voltage provided by the power supply 114 varies beyond a desired tolerance.

In yet another arrangement, the device 100 can include a reference electrical conductor 150 coupled to the impedance meter 124. In addition to measuring the impedance of the electrical conductor 140, the impedance meter 124 can measure the impedance of the reference electrical conductor 150 to generate a reference impedance measurement. The reference impedance measurement can be made when the impedance of the electrical conductor 140 is measured, or within a short period of time (e.g., less than 10 ms, 20 ms, 30 ms, 40 ms, 50 ms, 60 ms, 70 ms, 80 ms, 90 ms, 100 ms, or the like) from the impedance of the electrical conductor 140 being measured. The impedance meter 124 can compare the impedance measurement for the electrical conductor 140 to the reference impedance measurement to determine a ratio of the impedance of the electrical conductor 140 to the reference impedance measurement, and generate corresponding data indicating the ratio. The ratio can indicate the measured impedance of the electrical conductor 140 since the ratio is based on a comparison of the impedance measurement for the electrical conductor 140 to the reference impedance measurement. Thus, the data indicating the ratio is an indicator of the measured impedance.

Since the impedance measurements are made at the same time, or within a short period of time from one another, the voltage applied by the impedance meter 124 can be considered to be constant for each of the impedance measurements. Accordingly, the ratio of the impedance of the electrical conductor 140 to the impedance of the reference electrical conductor 150 will not be affected by the actual voltage applied to make the impedance measurements. Hence, the power supply 114 need not maintain a voltage regulation tolerance as precisely as previously described.

In operation, the antenna 110 can receive an RF signal from an RF scanner. In response, the power supply 114 can generate a voltage and distribute the voltage to various components 116-124 of the device 100 as previously described. As noted, the decoder 116 can decode data carried in the RF signal and communicate such data to the transmission controller 120. In response, the transmission controller 120 can process the data and initiate one or more processes performed by the device 100. For example, the transmission controller 120 can initiate the impedance meter 124 to measure the impedance of the electrical conductor 140 and generate an impedance measurement value. The impedance meter 124 can store the impedance measurement value to the memory elements 122. The impedance measurement value can be persisted to the memory elements 122 or stored temporarily to the memory elements 122. In an arrangement in which the impedance measurement value is persisted to the memory elements 122, the memory elements can be configured to maintain in memory the impedance measurement value, even after the power supply 114 ceases providing voltage to the memory elements 122. The memory elements can store the impedance measurement value in a functional data structure, for example a data table, or in one or more memory blocks or data registers.

In an arrangement in which the device 100 includes the reference electrical conductor 150, the impedance meter 124 also can measure the impedance of the reference electrical conductor 150. Further, the impedance meter 124 can compare the measured impedance of the electrical conductor 140 to the measured impedance of the reference electrical conductor 150 to determine a ratio of the measured impedance of the electrical conductor 140 to the measured impedance of the reference electrical conductor 150. In one arrangement, the ratio can be a value determined by dividing the value of the measured impedance of the electrical conductor 140 by the value of the measured impedance of the reference electrical conductor 150. In another arrangement, the ratio can be a value determined by dividing the value of the measured impedance of the reference electrical conductor 150 by the value of the measured impedance of the electrical conductor 140. The ratio can be persisted to the memory elements 122 or stored temporarily to the memory elements 122.

As will be described, the above process can be performed at various times. In one aspect of the present arrangements, the memory elements 122 can maintain a plurality of impedance measurements and/or ratios. In this regard, each time the device 100 is scanned by an RF scanner, the RF signal can include date/time stamp data. At least one impedance measurement and/or ratio determined by the impedance meter 124 can form a baseline measurement of the device 100, and can be indicated in the memory elements 122 as such. The baseline measurement can be determined prior to, or after, the device 100 being fixed to a physical structure. For example, the baseline measurement can be determined by a first scan performed by an RF scanner after the device 100 is fixed to a physical structure.

The impedance meter 124 and/or transmission controller 120 can store the date/time stamp data with the impedance measurement value and/or ratio value determined in response to receiving the RF signal. Accordingly, values for impedance measurements and/or ratios from various scans can be retrieved from the memory elements 122 and compared to determine whether the impedance of the electrical conductor changes over time or breaks in a time period between successive scans. The date/time stamp can be useful in determining when such changes occur or when the break occurs.

Responsive to the impedance meter 124 measuring the impedance of the electrical conductor 140 and/or determining the ratio, the transmission controller 120 can retrieve the impedance measurement value and/or ratio value from the memory elements 122 or receive such value directly from the impedance meter 124. The transmission controller 120 can communicate data including the value to the encoder 118. The encoder 118 can encode the data into an RF signal, and communicate the RF signal to the RF scanner via the antenna 110.

In an arrangement in which the memory elements 122 store impedance measurement values and/or ratio values from previous RF scans, the transmission controller 120 also can communicate corresponding data, including respective time/date stamps, to the encoder 118. The encoder 118 can include the corresponding data in the outbound RF signal. Accordingly, the RF scanner can receive not only data corresponding the present impedance measurement and/or ratio, but also data corresponding to previous impedance measurements and/or ratios.

In one aspect of the present arrangements, the device 100 can include one or more additional sensors and/or meters. Such sensors and/or meters can be configured to measure temperature, moisture, humidity, pressure, light, acceleration and/or the like. Such sensors and/or meters, or the transmission controller 120, can store corresponding data to the memory elements 122. Further, the transmission controller 120 communicate such data to the RF scanner using the encoder 118 and antenna 110, for example as previously described.

In one aspect of the present arrangements, the impedance meter 124 can process the temperature, moisture and/or humidity data to normalize electrical impedance value measured for the electrical conductor 140 prior to storing the impedance value or prior to the transmission controller 120 transmitting the data to the RF scanner. The impedance meter 124 also can normalize the electrical impedance value measured for the reference electrical conductor 150 prior to performing the comparison operations previously described. For example, the measured impedance of an uninsulated electrical conductor may be impacted by the moisture content of a material in which the electrical conductor is embedded since the material may also provide a level of electrical conductivity. Further, the conductivity of an electrical conductor may be dependent, in part, on the temperature of the electrical conductor. The impedance meter 124 can normalize the electrical impedance and/or ratio measurements to account for such factors. Also, acceleration data can indicate whether the electronic circuit devices have been exposed to movement, for example due to an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, etc., which may have compromised the structural integrity of a structural component to which, or in which, the device 100 is attached.

At this point it should be noted that the above processes performed by the device 100 can be performed in real time. Indeed, the device 100 can generate the outbound RF signal carrying the above described data, which is generated in response to receiving the inbound RF signal from the RF scanner, within milliseconds of receiving the inbound RF signal. Accordingly, the RF scanner to very rapidly scan a large number of electronic circuit devices, each of which are configured as described above.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example architecture of a RF scanner 200. In one non-limiting example, the RF scanner 200 can be an RFID reader (or RFID interrogator) configured in accordance with the arrangements described herein. The RF scanner 200 can be configured to scan a plurality of electronic circuit devices, including the device 100 of FIG. 1. The RF scanner 200 can be configured to scan upwards of 400 electronic circuit devices per second. To scan the electronic circuit devices, the RF scanner 200 can generate one or more RF signals and receive RF signals generated by the electronic circuit devices in response to the RF signals generated by the RF scanner 200.

The RF scanner can include a receive antenna 210, a transmit antenna 212, a power supply 214, a decoder 216, an encoder 218, a transmission controller 220, a processor 222, memory elements 224, a system interface controller 226 and a communication port 228 (or antenna) and, optionally, a display 230. Optionally, in lieu of having separate receive and transmit antennas, the RF scanner can include an antenna used for transmit and receive of RF signals. The RF scanner 200 also can include user interface (not shown) via which a user interacts with the RF scanner 200 via the display 230 (e.g., if the display 230 is a touchscreen) and/or one or more buttons, keys and/or the like (not shown). One or more of the components 210-226 of the RF scanner 200 can be embodied in an integrated circuit (IC), for example an IC chip.

The power supply 214 can receive electrical energy from one or more batteries, or from a power outlet via a power cord. The power supply can distribute voltage to the various components of the RF scanner 200, including the decoder 216, encoder 218, transmission controller 220, processor 222, memory elements 224, system interface controller 226 and, optionally, the display 230.

The antenna 210 can be configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals generated by the plurality of electronic circuit devices. The decoder 216 can decode data carried in an RF signals received from the electronic circuit devices and communicate such data to the transmission controller 220. For example, the decoder 216 can demodulate the RF signal into a baseband signal and process the baseband signal to detect the data contained therein. Demodulation of the RF signal into the baseband signal may include first converting the RF signal to an intermediate frequency (IF), though the present arrangements are not limited in this regard.

The encoder 218 can encode data received from the transmission controller 220 into an RF signal, which can be transmitted to the electronic circuit devices by the antenna 212. For example, the encoder 218 can generate a baseband signal that includes the data, and modulate the baseband signals into an RF signal, which also is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Modulation of the baseband signal into the RF signal may include first modulating the baseband signal to an intermediate frequency (IF), though the present arrangements are not limited in this regard. In one arrangement, the RF scanner 200 can include a switch 232 operable by the transmission controller 220 and/or the encoder 218 to close when the encoder 218 generates the outbound RF signal.

The transmission controller 220 can process the data received from the decoder 216 and, in response, communicate the data to the processor 222. The transmission controller 220 also can receive data from the processor 222 and communicate the data to the encoder 118 for transmission to the plurality of electronic circuit devices using the encoder 218 and antenna 212.

The processor 222 can execute program code to perform one or more processes, as will be described. The processor 222 can access the program code from the memory elements 224. The processor 222 also can access data from the memory elements 224 that is to be transmitted to the plurality of electronic circuit devices, and communicate the data to the transmission controller 220 to be transmitted to the electronic circuit devices. Further, the processor 222 can receive from the transmission controller 220 data received from the plurality of electronic circuit devices. In response to receiving such data, the processor 222 can implement one or more processes, as will be described.

The memory elements 224 can include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory and one or more bulk storage devices. Local memory refers to random access memory (RAM) or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of the program code. The bulk storage device(s) can be implemented as a hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), EPROM or Flash memory, or other persistent data storage device. The RF scanner 200 also can include one or more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device during execution.

The system interface controller 226 can interface the RF scanner 200 (e.g., the transmission controller 220 and/or processor 222) with one or more other devices or systems via the communication port 228 (or antenna). For example, the system interface controller 226 can a universal serial interface (USB) controller, an IEEE-1394 (FireWire™) controller, a Thunderbolt™ controller, a Bluetooth® controller, a Wi-Fi™ controller, an Ethernet controller, or the like.

In operation, the RF scanner 200 can be placed or held in proximity to one or more of the plurality of electronic circuit devices (e.g., the device 100 of FIG. 1). For example, the RF scanner 200 can be placed or held within 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, 4 m or 5 m of at least one electronic circuit device. The processor 222 can initiate the transmission controller 220 to transmit an RF signal to the electronic circuit device(s) as previously described. In one arrangement, the processor 222 can communicate to the transmission controller 220 data indicating a date/time stamp to be encoded into the RF signal, which the electronic circuit device(s) can process as previously described.

Responsive to receiving the RF signal from the RF scanner 200, one or more of the electronic circuit devices can transmit to the RF scanner 200 another RF signal. The RF signal received from a particular electronic circuit device can indicate an RFID of the electronic circuit device and a value of a present impedance measurement of a respective electrical conductor and/or a value indicating ratio of the value of the impedance measurement to the impedance measurement of a respective reference electrical conductor 150. The RF signal can be received by the RF scanner 200 as previously described, and the transmission controller 220 can communicate to the processor 222 the data contained in RF signal. As noted, in one arrangement the received RF signal also can include data pertaining to previous impedance measurements and/or ratios, and respective time/date stamps. The transmission controller 220 also can communicate such data to the processor 222. The processor 222 can store the received data to the memory elements, for example in a functional data structure (e.g., one or more data tables or the like). The processor 222 also can communicate the data to another device or system via the system interface controller 226 and the communication port 228 (or antenna) to cause the other device or system to store the data to a functional data structure in one or more memory elements remote to the RF scanner 200.

In one arrangement, the processor 222 can, for each electronic circuit device, compare the value of the present measured impedance and/or ratio to values of one or more previously measured impedances and/or ratios. The previously measured impedances and/or ratios can be identified as baseline measurements of the respective electronic circuit devices. In the case that the values of the previously measured impedances and/or ratios are not contained in the RF signals received from the respective electronic circuit devices, the values of the previously measured impedances and/or ratios can be accessed from the memory elements 224 or from another device or system via the system interface controller 226 and the communication port 228 (or antenna). In illustration, each time the RF scanner 200 scans the respective electronic circuit devices, the RF scanner 200 can store the data, including the values, RFIDs and time/date stamps, to the memory elements 224, or another device or system can store that data to one or more function data structures in memory elements remote to the RF scanner 200. Such other device or system can make that data available to the RF scanner 200, or one or more other RF scanners, for later comparisons.

Responsive to the processor 222 determining that the present measured impedance value and/or ratio value received from at least one of the electronic circuit devices is not within a specified tolerance of one or more previously measured impedance values and/or ratio values received from the electronic circuit device, the processor 222 can output data indicating such circumstance. For example, the processor 222 can write to the display 230 information indicating each of the electronic circuit devices for which the impedance values and/or ratio values have changed by more than the specified tolerance. In another example, the information written to the display 230 can indicate the RFID of each electronic circuit device, and the impedance values and/or ratio values for the present RF scan and one or more previous RF scans, and visually indicate on the display 230 the RFIDs of electronic circuit devices for which the values have changed by more than the specified tolerance.

Accordingly, the RF scanner 200 can visually indicate on the display 230 which electronic circuit devices are connected to electrical conductors which have been deformed or have been broken. This can indicate that the structural integrity of a structural component of a structure to which, or in which, the electronic circuit devices and electrical conductors are fixed has been compromised, and the extent to which the structural integrity has been compromised. Such structural components may be compromised due to displacement, cracks, compression, elongation, movement, or the like. The RF scanner 200 also can communicate corresponding information to another device or system, which can store the information to memory elements for review and/or output to one or more other displays, printers and/or the like.

In another arrangement, the above comparison and notification process can be performed by another device or system that accesses the data gathered and communicated by the RF scanner 200, and perhaps data gathered and communicated by another RF scanner. By way of example, another RF scanner can be used to gather data from the plurality of electronic circuit devices at a first time and communicate the data to memory elements accessible by the other device or system. At another time the RF scanner 200 can gather data from the plurality of electronic circuit devices and communicate the data to the memory elements accessible by the other device or system. The other device or system can perform the above described comparisons to identify which electronic circuit devices are connected to electrical conductors which have been deformed or have been broken. The other device or system also can store the information to memory elements for review and/or output to one or more other displays, printers and/or the like.

The RF scanner 200 also can visually indicate on the display 230 other data received from the electronic circuit devices, for example data relating to temperature, moisture, humidity, pressure, light, acceleration and/or the like measured by the electronic circuit devices. The RF scanner 200 also can store such data to the memory elements 224 and/or communicate such data to another device or system. In one aspect of the present arrangements, the processor 222, or another device or system, can process the temperature, moisture and/or humidity data to normalize electrical impedance and/or ratio measurements prior to performing the comparison operations, for example as previously described.

FIG. 3 is an example of a structural wrap 300 configured to be attached to a physical structure, for example one or more structural components of the physical structure. The structural wrap 300 can be used to monitor the structural integrity of one or more components of a physical structure. For example, a plurality of structural wraps 300 can be fixed to various respective structural components of the physical structure. Each structural wrap 300 can be used to identify, responsive to be scanned an RF scanner 340, a respective structural component that is structurally compromised to some extent, and the extent to which the structural members are compromised.

The structural wrap 300 can include a planar material 310. The planar material 310 can be a plastic material, for example, a polyester sheeting, Tyvek®, or another flexible material. In one arrangement, the planar material 310 can have a thickness 315 of 50 μm to 100 mm, though the present arrangements are not limited in this regard. Optionally, an adhesive 320 can be applied to at least one side of the planar material 310 to facilitate attaching the structural wrap 300 to a physical structure. In other arrangements one or more fasteners and/or bands can be used to attach the structural wrap 300 to a physical structure.

A plurality of electronic circuit devices 330, each of which may be configured according to the description of the electronic circuit device 100 of FIG. 1, can be embedded in the planar material 310, along with one or more respective electrical conductors (not shown for simplicity) according the description of the electrical conductor 140 of FIG. 1. As such, the plurality of electronic circuit devices 330 can be configured to be scanned by an RF scanner 340, which can configured according to the description of the RF scanner 200 of FIG. 2. The structural wrap 300 can be attached to a physical structure. For example, the structural wrap 300 can be wrapped around a structural column of the physical structure, applied to a side, floor, ceiling or wall of a physical structure, or the like.

After the structural wrap 300 can be attached to a structural component of the physical structure, the RF scanner 340 can perform an initial scan of the plurality of electronic circuit devices 330 to form baseline measurements of the electronic circuit devices 330. The baseline measurement for each electronic circuit device 330 can include an RFID of the electronic circuit device 330 and at least one value of the electrical impedances of the respective electrical conductor(s) connected to the electronic circuit device 330 and/or ratio(s) previously described. In illustration, the RF scanner 340 can transmit RF signals received by the plurality of electronic circuit devices 330, and receive RF signals transmitted by the plurality of electronic circuit devices 330 in response to receiving the RF signals. Responsive to receiving the RF signals, the RF scanner 340 can receive, store and process data contained in the RF signals as previously described. Further, the RF scanner 340 can communicate the data to another device or system for processing, also as previously described. In one non-limiting arrangement, the initial scan may be correlated with a traditional inspection (e.g., X-ray inspection, Gamma ray inspection, etc.) to ensure that the structural component is sound to begin with in order to provide suitable baseline measurements.

One or more of the electronic circuit devices 330 may be inactive or defective, for example due to manufacturing defects, damage when being embedded into the structural wrap 300, or damage to the structural wrap 300 either during handling or application of the structural wrap 300 to the physical structure. The RF scanner 340 will not receive data from inactive electronic circuit devices 330, but may receive erroneous data from defective electronic circuit devices 330. Nonetheless, the RF scanner 340 can identify such erroneous data and identify the RFIDs of electronic circuit devices 330 producing the erroneous data in order to indicate that further data from such electronic circuit devices 330 is to be ignored when determining structural integrity.

In one aspect of the present arrangements, the RF scanner 340 can determine a location of each of the respective electronic circuit devices 330 and generate corresponding data. The corresponding data may be stored to memory elements within the RF scanner 340 and/or to memory elements in one or more other devices or systems communicatively linked to the RF scanner 340. To determine the location of the respective electronic circuit devices 330, the RF scanner 340 can include a global positioning receiver (not shown in FIG. 2) that determines a present location of the RF scanner 340. Further, based on processing data indicating time delays between transmitting RF signals and receiving RF signals from a particular electronic circuit device 330, the RF scanner 340 can estimate a location of the electronic circuit device 330 with respect to the RF scanner 340. In this regard, a normal time delay between an electronic circuit device 330 receiving an RF signal when scanned by the RF scanner 340 and responding to the RF signal with an outbound RF signal can be known and indicated by corresponding data, and thus variations in the time delay can be used to determine the location of the electronic circuit device 330.

In another aspect of the present arrangements, a user of the RF scanner 340 can, via a user interface of the RF scanner 340, indicate a present location of the RF scanner 340, which can indicate a present location of the respective electronic circuit devices 330. In yet another aspect of the present arrangements, the RF scanner 340 can be fixed to, or fixed to a location proximate to, the physical structure. When the RF scanner 340 is fixed the physical structure or the location proximate to the physical structure, the location of the RF scanner 340 can be determined by a user or an automated process. Nonetheless, the location of the RF scanner 340 can indicate the location of the respective electronic circuit devices 330 to which the RF scanner 340 is able to transmit and receive RF signals.

At some time after the initial scan of the electronic circuit devices 330, the RF scanner 340 or another RF scanner can scan the electronic circuit devices 330 to receive data from the electronic circuit devices 330 as previously described. For each electronic circuit device 330, the RF scanner 340 performing the scan, or another device or system, can compare the received data to the baseline measurement of respective electronic circuit device 330. Based on the comparison, a determination can be made as to whether an electrical impedance measurement and/or ratio indicated in the received data is within a specified tolerance of a baseline measurement (e.g., baseline electrical impedance and/or ratio).

Responsive to identifying, for one or more of the electronic circuit devices 330, an electrical impedance measurement and/or ratio that is not within a specified tolerance of a baseline measurement, the RF scanner 340 performing the scan, or another device or system, can output data indicating such, as previously described. Such data can indicate the variation of the present electrical impedance measurement and/or ratio to the baseline measurement, thus indicating the extent to which the structural component to which the electronic circuit devices 330 are fixed is compromised. For example, a minor variation in the electrical impedance measurement and/or ratio (e.g., due to a small or moderate amount of deformation of the electrical conductor) can indicate a small crack or displacement in the structural component. A major variation in the electrical impedance measurement and/or ratio (e.g., due to significant stretching or breaking of the electrical conductor) can indicate a large crack or displacement in the structural component. The data also can indicate the location of the subject electronic circuit devices 330 and, therefore, indicate the specific structural component for which the structural integrity is compromised to some extent. Responsive to a user or processing system analyzing the data, the user or processing system may determine that additional inspection of the structural component is warranted.

In one non-limiting example, the RF scanner 340 can be permanently placed proximate to the structural wrap 300, for example within 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, 4 m or 5 m of the structural wrap, and configured to, automatically, periodically or continually scan the electronic circuit devices 330. Thus, the RF scanner 340, or another device or system to which the RF scanner 340 is communicatively linked, can determine, in real time, whether and when structural integrity of the structural component to which the structural wrap 300 is attached is compromised. The RF scanner 340 can be communicatively linked to a remote device or system via one or more communication networks. A communication network is a medium used to provide communications links between various devices and data processing systems connected together within a network environment. The communication network may include connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables The communication network can be implemented as, or include, any of a variety of different communication technologies such as a WAN, a LAN, a wireless network, a mobile network, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), the Internet, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or the like.

FIG. 4 is an example of a structural component 400 of a physical structure. The physical structure can include a plurality of such structural components 400. A plurality of electronic circuit devices 410, each of which may be configured according to the description of the electronic circuit device 100 of FIG. 1, can be embedded in each structural component 400, along with respective electrical conductors (not shown for simplicity) according the description of the electrical conductor 140 of FIG. 1. As such, the plurality of electronic circuit devices 410 can be configured to be scanned by an RF scanner 420, such as an RF scanner configured according to the description of the RF scanner 200 of FIG. 2.

In one example, the structural component 400 can be an aggregate bonded with a fluid, such as concreate, bricks, etc. In another example, the structural component can be drywall, plaster, or the like. Still, the structural component 400 can be implemented as any other type of structural component, and the present arrangements are not limited in this regard. In an arrangement in which the structural component 400 includes an aggregate bonded with a fluid to form a composite material, the electronic circuit devices 410 and respective electrical conductors can be embedded in the wet composite material just before, or during, the pouring of the composite material. Any number of electronic circuit devices 410 may be mixed into the composite material, at any depth as desired or required by the application.

After the structural component 400 is in place in the physical structure, the RF scanner 420 can perform an initial scan the plurality of electronic circuit devices 410 to form baseline measurements of the electronic circuit devices 410. The baseline measurement for each electronic circuit device 410 can include an RFID of the electronic circuit device 410 and at least one value of the electrical impedances of the respective electrical conductor(s) connected to the electronic circuit device 410 and/or ratio(s) previously described. As noted, one or more electronic circuit devices 410 may be inactive or defective, and the RF scanner 420 can ignore data produced by inactive or defective electronic circuit devices 410. In one non-limiting arrangement, the initial scan may be correlated with a traditional inspection (e.g., X-ray inspection, Gamma ray inspection, etc.) to ensure that the structural component 400 is sound to begin with in order to provide suitable baseline measurements.

The RF scanner 420 can perform operations previously described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, including performing subsequent scans, to determine whether the structural integrity of the structural component 400 is compromised. One or more additional RF scanners and/or other devices or systems also can perform operations previously described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 to determine whether the structural integrity of the structural component 400 is compromised. For example, responsive to identifying, for one or more of the electronic circuit devices 410, an electrical impedance measurement and/or ratio that is not within a specified tolerance of a baseline measurement, the RF scanner 420 performing the scan, or another device or system, can output data indicating such, as previously described.

In one non-limiting example, the RF scanner 420 can be permanently placed proximate to the structural component 400, for example within 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, 4 m or 5 m of the structural component, and configured to, automatically, periodically or continually scan the electronic circuit devices 410 and implement the various processes described with respect to FIG. 3, for example to communicate data to a remote device or system.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 500 of configuring an electronic circuit device, such as the device 100 of FIG. 1. At step 502, the electronic circuit device can be configured to be fixed to a structural component of a physical structure. Further, the electronic circuit device can be configured to, responsive to being scanned by a radio frequency (RF) scanner, use energy contained in an RF signal generated by the RF scanner to measure an electrical impedance of a respective electrical conductor and communicate to the RF scanner data indicating the measured electrical impedance of the respective electrical conductor. At step 504, the respective electrical conductor can be connected to the electronic circuit device. The respective electrical conductor can be configured to have a respective electrical impedance that changes in value responsive to the electrical conductor being deformed.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 600 of detecting structural integrity of a physical structure, for example using a plurality of electronic circuit devices configured as described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 5.

At step 602, the plurality of electronic circuit devices can be fixed to, or within, a structural component of a physical structure. At step 604, each of the plurality electronic circuit devices can be scanned a first time, using an RF scanner, to receive, from each of the plurality of electronic circuit devices, first data indicating a first measured electrical impedance of the respective conductor and an identifier assigned to the electronic circuit device. At step 606, for each of the plurality of electronic circuit devices, the first data indicating the first measured electrical impedance and the identifier assigned to the electronic circuit device can be stored to a first memory, wherein the first data indicating the first measured electrical impedance and the identifier for each of the electronic devices forms a baseline measurement of the electronic circuit devices. The first data indicating the first measured electrical impedance can be a value of the first measured electrical impedance, or a value of a first ratio value determined by comparing a value of the first measured electrical impedance to a value generated by a first reference electrical impedance measurement.

At step 608, each of the plurality electronic circuit devices can be scanned a second time that is later than the first time, using the RF scanner or another RF scanner, each of the plurality electronic circuit devices to receive, from each of the plurality of electronic circuit devices, second data indicating a second measured electrical impedance of the respective conductor and the identifier assigned to the electronic circuit device. At step 610, for each of the plurality of electronic circuit devices, the second data indicating the second measured electrical impedance can be stored to the first memory or a second memory. The second data indicating the second measured electrical impedance can be a value of the second measured electrical impedance, or a value of a second ratio determined by comparing a value of the second measured electrical impedance to a value generated by a second reference electrical impedance measurement.

At step 612, for each of the electronic circuit devices, the second data indicating the second measured electrical impedance can be compared to the first data indicating the first electrical impedance. At step 614, responsive to determining that the second data indicating the second measured electrical impedance is not within a specified tolerance of the first data indicating the first electrical impedance for at least one of the plurality of electronic circuit devices, data indicating that electronic circuit device and the second measured electrical impedance is not within the specified tolerance of the first electrical impedance can be output.

While the disclosure concludes with claims defining novel features, it is believed that the various features described herein will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. The process(es), machine(s), manufacture(s) and any variations thereof described within this disclosure are provided for purposes of illustration. Any specific structural and functional details described are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the features described in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used within this disclosure are not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of the features described.

For purposes of simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numbers are repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding, analogous, or like features.

The present invention may be a device, a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of devices, systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this disclosure, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Reference throughout this disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an arrangement” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described within this disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “in one arrangement” and similar language throughout this disclosure may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, whether directly without any intervening elements or indirectly with one or more intervening elements, unless otherwise indicated. Two elements also can be coupled mechanically, electrically, or communicatively linked through a communication channel, pathway, network, or system. The term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms, as these terms are only used to distinguish one element from another unless stated otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

The term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: at least one antenna; a power supply that generates a voltage using electrical energy contained in a first radio frequency (RF) signal generated by an RF scanner; at least two ports to which respective ends of at least one electrical conductor are attached; an impedance meter to which the at least two ports are conductively linked, the impedance meter configured to measure an electrical impedance of the electrical conductor; and a transmission controller configured to communicate to the RF scanner, via the antenna, a second RF signal containing data indicating the measured electrical impedance; wherein: the impedance meter and the transmission controller are powered by the voltage generated by the power supply using the electrical energy contained in the first RF signal generated by the RF scanner; and the device is configured to be embedded, with the electrical conductor, into at least one structural material from which at least one structural component of a physical structure is made, or embedded into a structural wrap configured to be attached to the physical structure.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: memory elements, wherein the impedance meter is configured to store the measured electrical impedance to the memory elements.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein: the memory elements further store an identifier that identifies the device; and the second RF signal further contains data indicating the identifier.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the data indicating the measured electrical impedance comprises a value of the electrical impedance of the electrical conductor.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a reference electrical conductor; wherein: the impedance meter is configured to measure an impedance of the reference electrical conductor and determine a value of a ratio by comparing a value of the electrical impedance of the electrical conductor to a value of the electrical impedance of the reference conductor; and the data indicating the measured electrical impedance comprises the value of the ratio.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first RF signal is received by the antenna.
 7. An apparatus comprising: a structural wrap configured to be attached to a physical structure; and at least one device embedded in the structural wrap, the device comprising: at least one antenna; a power supply that generates a voltage using electrical energy contained in a first radio frequency (RF) signal generated by an RF scanner; at least two ports to which respective ends of at least one electrical conductor are attached; an impedance meter to which the at least two ports are conductively linked, the impedance meter configured to measure an electrical impedance of the electrical conductor; and a transmission controller configured to communicate to the RF scanner, via the antenna, a second RF signal containing data indicating the measured electrical impedance; wherein the impedance meter and the transmission controller are powered by the voltage generated by the power supply using the electrical energy contained in the first RF signal generated by the RF scanner.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical conductor is embedded in the structural wrap.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the device further comprises: memory elements, wherein the impedance meter is configured to store the measured electrical impedance to the memory elements.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the memory elements further store an identifier that identifies the respective device; and the second RF signal further contains data indicating the identifier.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the data indicating the measured electrical impedance comprises a value of the electrical impedance of the electrical conductor.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the device further comprises: a reference electrical conductor; wherein: the impedance meter is configured to measure an impedance of the reference electrical conductor and determine a value of a ratio by comparing a value of the electrical impedance of the electrical conductor to a value of the electrical impedance of the reference conductor; and the data indicating the measured electrical impedance comprises the value of the ratio.
 13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first RF signal is received by the antenna.
 14. An apparatus comprising: a structural component for a physical structure; and at least one device embedded in the structural component, the device comprising: at least one antenna; a power supply that generates a voltage using electrical energy contained in a first radio frequency (RF) signal generated by an RF scanner; at least two ports to which respective ends of at least one electrical conductor are attached; an impedance meter to which the at least two ports are conductively linked, the impedance meter configured to measure an electrical impedance of the electrical conductor; and a transmission controller configured to communicate to the RF scanner, via the antenna, a second RF signal containing data indicating the measured electrical impedance; wherein the impedance meter and the transmission controller are powered by the voltage generated by the power supply using the electrical energy contained in the first RF signal generated by the RF scanner.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one electrical conductor is embedded in the structural component.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the device further comprises: memory elements, wherein the impedance meter is configured to store the measured electrical impedance to the memory elements.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the memory elements further store an identifier that identifies the respective device; and the second RF signal further contains data indicating the identifier.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data indicating the measured electrical impedance comprises a value of the electrical impedance of the electrical conductor.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the device further comprises: a reference electrical conductor; wherein: the impedance meter is configured to measure an impedance of the reference electrical conductor and determine a value of a ratio by comparing a value of the electrical impedance of the electrical conductor to a value of the electrical impedance of the reference conductor; and the data indicating the measured electrical impedance comprises the value of the ratio.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first RF signal is received by the antenna. 